Royal Mint
2026 Britannia Mint Error | Struck on Cupro-Nickel £5 Planchet Instead of Silver | NGC MS68
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Questions about this coin? Call or message 07340 710102
About this coin
This is a genuine, Royal Mint-confirmed minting error: a 2026 1oz Britannia struck using blanks intended for base-metal crown coins, rather than the correct .999 fine silver rounds. The mix-up went undetected during production, and a small number of these off-metal strikes were distributed to a Royal Mint supplier before the error came to light. It is understood that only 209 of these coins exist.
Visually, the coin is identical on both sides to a standard 2026 1oz Silver Britannia — the same reverse design and the same uncrowned obverse portrait of King Charles III by Martin Jennings — but struck on a cupro-nickel planchet rather than silver. Cupro-nickel is the copper-and-nickel alloy The Royal Mint typically reserves for its base-metal commemorative crown releases, and the coin carries no silver or precious metal content whatsoever. Its value lies entirely in its rarity and documented origin as a genuine mint error, not in metal content.
The cupro-nickel composition on this example has been independently confirmed using in-house XRF (X-ray fluorescence) technology, adding a further layer of verification beyond the coin's NGC certification.
Graded NGC MS68 and encapsulated with the "Mint Error" designation on the label. NGC's highest confirmed grade for this error type to date is MS69, making this an exceptional example just one point below the current ceiling for the entire error population.
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✓ Only 1 currently in stock — each graded coin we list is a specific example, individually photographed and certified.
✓ Free, fully insured UK delivery — tracked door to door, at no extra cost.
✓ The exact coin you see — every photo on this page is the real coin, never stock imagery.
✓ 14-day returns if the coin isn't exactly as described.
✓ Independently verified — check this coin's own certification on NGC's public register (link below).
✓ Talk to a specialist directly — email richard@sovaracoins.com for a straight answer before you buy.
Coin Highlights
- Genuine Royal Mint-confirmed minting error, struck on a base-metal cupro-nickel planchet instead of .999 silver
- Only 209 examples understood to exist
- Identical design to the standard 2026 1oz Silver Britannia on both sides
- Composition independently verified by XRF technology
- Obverse: uncrowned portrait of King Charles III by Martin Jennings
- Graded NGC MS68 with the official "Mint Error" label designation
- NGC's highest recorded grade for this error is MS69 — this example sits just below the current ceiling
- Encapsulated in a tamper-evident NGC holder for authenticity and protection
Specifications
| Year | 2026 |
| Mint | The Royal Mint, Llantrisant |
| Composition | Cupro-nickel (error — should be .999 fine silver) |
| Diameter | 38.61 mm |
| Obverse Designer | Martin Jennings (King Charles III, uncrowned portrait) |
| Reverse | Standard 2026 Britannia design |
| Known Population of This Error | Approximately 209 |
| Grading | NGC MS68, Mint Error designation |
| Highest Known Grade for This Error | MS69 |
Why This Coin Stands Out
Genuine, verified mint errors from The Royal Mint are rare events — this is a documented case with corroboration across multiple sources, an official Mint acknowledgement, and independent XRF metal verification, which is considerably more assurance than most error coins ever receive. With only 209 known examples and a grading ceiling of MS69, this NGC MS68 example represents a near-top-tier grade within an already tiny population. A genuinely unusual and highly collectable piece for anyone interested in modern British minting errors.
As UK legal tender, this coin is exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents regardless of its composition. Browse our full range of graded gold Sovereigns to explore more rare and unusual certified coins.
Have a question?
Speak toa specialist.
Ask about grade, population or anything else before you buy. Call or message or send us your question below.
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Frequently asked questions
Do you offer a discount for paying by bank transfer?
Yes. Pay by bank transfer and you'll save 2% on orders of £250 or more.
- Add your coin to the basket and check out as normal.
- At the payment step, choose Bank transfer.
- We'll email you an invoice with your 2% saving already deducted, along with our bank details.
- Pay the invoice amount, using your order number as the reference.
- Once your payment reaches us, your coin is dispatched free and fully insured by Royal Mail Special Delivery.
Every coin page shows its bank transfer price just under the main price, so you'll know the exact amount before you order. Questions? Call or message us on 07340 710102.
Delivery & returns
Delivery Information
We offer free insured delivery across the UK on all orders. Every coin is carefully inspected, securely packaged, and sent using Royal Mail Special Delivery - a fully tracked, next-day service that requires a signature on receipt.
All parcels are shipped discreetly and fully insured for peace of mind.
We currently do not ship internationally. Orders can only be delivered to the UK address provided at checkout, and we’re unable to send to PO Box addresses.
We aim to dispatch all orders within one business day of receiving cleared payment. Once your order has been dispatched, you’ll receive tracking details so you can monitor its progress.
Returns Policy
For non-bullion items (such as proof coins, graded coins or accessories), we’re happy to accept returns within 14 days of receipt if you feel your coin is not as described and provided the item is returned in its original condition, please contact us and we’ll be glad to help.
If an item is returned for reasons other than being not as described, return postage will be the responsibility of the buyer.
Important Notes
- All returns must be pre-authorised by our customer service team.
- Please use a tracked and insured service when sending items back to us, as we cannot accept liability for goods lost or damaged in transit.
- For full details, please see our Terms & Conditions or contact us directly with any questions.
Payment & verification information
At Sovara Coins, your security is our priority. To protect both our customers and ourselves from fraud, we currently accept debit card and bank transfer payments only.
- Debit card payments are processed securely through our trusted payment provider, giving you instant confirmation at checkout.
- Bank transfer payments are also welcome and full instructions will be provided during the checkout process.
Please note that we do not accept credit cards. This policy helps us keep prices competitive and ensures all transactions remain low-risk and fully traceable.
For your protection:
- Billing and shipping addresses must match.
- On higher-value orders, we may request ID verification before dispatch. This is a quick process and helps keep your purchase safe.
Every payment method we accept is fully secure, encrypted and protected. Once payment is confirmed, your order will be prepared for dispatch within one business day.
Can I verify the coin's grade?
Yes. Every NGC-certified coin has a unique certification number visible on the slab label. You can verify the grade, coin details and population data at NGCcoin.uk using the cert number shown.
What is the population or top pop figure?
The NGC census records how many examples of each coin have been graded at each level. A Top Pop coin means no other example has achieved a higher grade — making it the finest certified specimen in existence for that issue.
Do you offer part exchange?
Yes. We accept all proof coins and graded coins in part exchange, including NGC and PCGS certified coins, boxed gold and silver proofs, and proof sets.
Tell us what you'd like to trade and which coin you have your eye on, and we'll give you a bespoke cost-to-change valuation.
The Seventy Select
Graded 70.Nothing less.
Every coin here is graded PF70 Ultra Cameo or MS70, the highest grade NGC and PCGS award.
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1979 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Sovereign – NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
£3,190
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1987 Half-Ounce Gold Proof Britannia | First Year of Issue | NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
£1,890
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1987 Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof Britannia | First Year of Issue | NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
£1,090
-
1989 Elizabeth II 500th Anniversary Gold Proof Sovereign NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
£2,380
-
1992 Elizabeth II Gold Proof Double Sovereign NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo
£2,190
-
1992 Gold Proof Sovereign PF70 Ultra Cameo
£1,260
-
1995 Gold Proof Half Sovereign PF70 Ultra Cameo
£690
-
1995 Tenth-Ounce Gold Proof Britannia | NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo (Only 14 Graded)
£490
- 215 coins in the collection View the collection